'If I said there was no contact, I'd be lying' - Hulk fuels Chelsea speculation

By Dale Jones

The Brazilian, who only joined current club Zenit in 2012, has been touted to move to Stamford Bridge but says he is focused on the Confederations Cup

Zenit forward Hulk has hinted at a potential move to Chelsea this summer by admitting that he is aware of interest from the west London club in his signature.

Jose Mourinho is reportedly keen to move for the 26-year-old and long-term Blues target but his current employers paid €80 million to prise him and Axel Witsel away from Porto in 2012.

Hulk, who is on international duty with Brazil ahead of the Confederations Cup, says the Stamford Bridge side have made enquiries but insists his focus is on the upcoming tournament in his home country.

"If I said there was not anything in it, I would be lying," Hulk told Globo Esporte. "But that is not for now. I am 100 per cent focused on the national team at the moment.

"I came to wear this [Brazil] shirt with pride. My family and my friends are following me. I hope to win the Confederations Cup."

Hulk started in the 2-2 draw with England in Rio de Janeiro earlier this month and was substituted to a chorus of boos around the Maracana.

The forward remains determined, however, to prove himself to the Brazilian public after playing the majority of his career in Europe and Asia.

"I left Brazil very early, at age 18, to go to Japan and I spent three-and-a-half years there," he explained. "Then I went to Porto, everything happened so fast in my life, there was recognition throughout Europe.

"Then the dream to wear the shirt of the national team. Everything was fast, but far from Brazil. Unfortunately not all Brazilians know me as a player, they do not follow me here [in Russia].

"But we have a friendly [against France], and five games of the Confederations Cup. They are sufficient; [the fans] will know me and see who I am."